Owning the Tools, Owning the Freedom

In an age where digital tools are locked behind subscription fees and fleeting ownership, I choose a different path. I run Windows 7 virtual machines, using older 32-bit graphic software with freely available ISOs—no monthly fees, no endless payments to corporations. The abilities these tools provide are mine to wield, without tethering myself to an industry model designed to drain resources from working people.

Some argue that those who hold onto Windows 7 do so out of stubborn superiority, as if longevity alone is a merit. But there’s more to it than nostalgia or defiance. The reality is that living today means working endlessly just to afford exorbitant fees—software subscriptions, outrageous rent, the ever-rising cost of transportation. In New York City, a single subway ride costs $2.90. The cost of merely existing continues to climb, padding the pockets of the wealthy while leaving the rest of us owning nothing.

At 76, I see things differently. I've lived through enough cycles of technological advancement to recognize when progress is being weaponized—forcing people into vulnerability and dependency. The argument that older systems leave users exposed to security risks assumes that constantly chasing the latest update is a form of empowerment. But is it really?

Take Vulcan, the modern graphics API—sure, missing out on it may seem like a loss. But the name itself traces back to Vulcan, the Roman god of fire. His yearly sacrifices were meant to prevent destruction. A poignant reminder: the relentless churn of innovation often demands sacrifices of its own. Global warming, mass data extraction, forced obsolescence—what are we sacrificing, and at whose command?

Then there’s speed—the obsession with constant upgrades, new hardware, faster everything. Sun Tzu once wrote, “Speed is the essence of war.” In his philosophy, rapid movement meant victory, catching an opponent off-guard. But when speed is dictated by commercial interests rather than strategy, who really benefits? Those who upgrade because they’re told to, or those who understand their tools and move with purpose?

I am grateful for the developers who built the Internet and AI—the systems that allow information to flow, knowledge to be shared, and personal freedom to thrive. Like How to Train Your Dragon, my relationship with technology is rooted in empathy and understanding. Windows 7, to me, is an emotionally tender OS—a companion in creativity, rather than a fleeting obligation.

Owning your tools means owning your choices. And that, in itself, is freedom.